How a brass compression ring works and its common applications

A brass compression ring, also known as a compression sleeve or ferrule, is a small cylindrical component made of brass or another suitable material used in conjunction with a compression fitting to create a secure and leak-tight connection between two pipes or tubing. The compression ring plays a critical role in ensuring a reliable seal in various plumbing and fluid transfer applications. Here's how a brass compression ring works and its common applications:

How a Brass Compression Ring Works:

1. Compression Fitting: Brass compression rings are typically used as part of a compression fitting, which consists of three main components: the compression nut, the compression ring (ferrule), and the fitting body.

2. Ferrule Placement: The brass compression ring is placed over the pipe or tubing that needs to be connected, and it is positioned between the nut and the fitting body.

3. Assembling the Connection: To create a leak-tight seal, the nut is threaded onto the fitting body, and the pipe or tubing is inserted into the fitting body.

4. Compression: As the nut is tightened onto the fitting body, it compresses the brass compression ring against the pipe or tubing. This compression causes the brass ring to deform around the pipe or tubing, creating a secure and leak-resistant connection.

Applications:

1. Plumbing: Brass compression rings are commonly used in plumbing systems to connect water supply lines. They are often used for connections to faucets, toilets, water heaters, and other fixtures where a reliable and watertight seal is essential.

2. Gas Lines: Compression fittings with brass compression rings are used in natural gas and propane systems to establish secure connections between pipes and gas appliances like stoves, water heaters, and gas furnaces.

3. Refrigeration Systems: In refrigeration systems, brass compression rings are used to connect copper or aluminum tubing for refrigerant lines in air conditioning units, refrigerators, and freezers.

4. Industrial Applications: Compression fittings with brass rings can be found in various industrial applications, including hydraulic systems, compressed air lines, and other fluid-carrying systems where secure and reliable connections are required.

5. Instrumentation: They are used in laboratories and analytical equipment where precise and reliable connections are necessary for fluid-carrying tubes.

Brass compression rings are essential components for compression fittings, and they play a crucial role in ensuring that the connection remains leak-free and secure over time. These fittings are popular due to their simplicity, ease of installation without the need for soldering or welding, and their ability to create dependable seals for a wide range of fluid transfer systems.